Page 40 of Forbidden Hearts
I sigh heavily and pull her to my chest. I know I shouldn’t think of this as a blessing, but one of the things I’ve never really worried about is Olivia hearing about the dangers of my job. I’m able to shield her from worrying about a lot of nothing.
Sugarloaf is really pretty uneventful, and the SWAT team has only been called out twice this year. It’s not something that’s utilized a lot, but we need to have one.
I release her and wait until her eyes meet mine and sign.“It was not a gun, and I was completely safe.”
Olivia doesn’t say anything, she just wraps her arms around me again. I hold my daughter, hating that she was scared or worried.
Phoebe comes out of the left hallway and sighs heavily when she sees me. Jesus fucking Lord, does this woman own clothes that aren’t designed to try to kill me? She’s in those damn shorts again and a cut-up sweatshirt that just lets the littlest bit of her stomach show.
She smiles. “Hey, you’re home.” Her hand goes up to stop me from speaking. “I know it’s past Olivia’s bedtime, but I thought it was best she saw you in the flesh. I’ve been that kid, worried about her dad because she heard about something happening while he was at work. She was worried no matter what I told her.”
“It’s fine,” I assure her.
Olivia sits up as I speak and looks to Phoebe, who smiles down at her.“See, totally fine.”
“You could’ve had her call me,” I tell Phoebe.
“I could’ve, but we watched a movie and just waited. Sometimes you need to actually see your dad and hug him.”
“You speak from experience?”
She shrugs, her coffee mug in her hand. “I am a police officer’s daughter. It comes with the territory.”
I lift Olivia’s chin so she can read my lips. “Go to bed, I’ll come up in a minute.”
My daughter nods, walks over to Phoebe, and the two of them sign back and forth, but I don’t catch all of it. Phoebe winks at her, nods twice, then Liv runs up the stairs to her room.
“What did she say?”
“She asked if I would come up to say good night and if we could watch the nextHigh School Musicaltomorrow.”
“She likes you a lot. It seems she’s forgiven you for letting her chop off her hair.”
She huffs. “Yes, imagine that . . . maybe you should try working on that too.”
“I have forgiven you. I just haven’t forgotten.”
“In your old age? Must be taking your Gingko Biloba daily,” she teases.
“I’m far from old.”
“You’re much closer than I am, buddy. You’re what? Forty? I can’t remember how old all you Whitlocks are.”
I’m much too old for her. “I’m thirty-eight.”
“See? You’re pushing forty while I’m still in my prime.”
She absolutely is.
I clear my throat. “Go on up, I’m going to change, and then I’ll come say good night to her.” Maybe I’ll get my head out of my ass while I’m at it.
Phoebe walks away, and I head to my room. I really don’t know why I’m so attracted to that woman. She’s every damn thing I hate—flighty, young, flighty, irresponsible, young. I say those words over and over hoping to drill it into my head. She’s fucking younger than my sister.
But there’s something about her sarcastic mouth and how she pushes back that is incredibly sexy.
I put my gun in the safe, hang up my uniform, and change into gym shorts and a T-shirt. When I make it upstairs, Phoebe is still there, sitting on the edge of Olivia’s bed, grinning as they sign back and forth. There are no words coming out of Phoebe’s mouth, but her lips are moving so Liv can read them.
She’s really good with her. For all my hesitation, it’s clear Livvy really likes her.
